Ken Graham, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Slidell, tells The Courier the agency awarded Terrebonne with the StormReady certification. It signifies Terrebonne can effectively weather tornadoes, hurricanes or other severe weather.

Earl Eues, director of the Terrebonne Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says it is one of only 18 parishes in the state to receive the honor.

Eues says the parish worked for 18 months to qualify for the certification, which centers on communication.

The parish has radios that allow it to communicate with the National Weather Service in the event of emergency.